Systems and methods for sensor mechanisms for magnetic cards and devices

ABSTRACT

A card exhibiting multiple linear arrays of sensors are provided to detect a presence and movement of an external object (e.g., a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader). Each sensor of each array of sensors may be independently connected to a dual port of a processor so that the processor may determine a direction in which the card is swiped through a magnetic stripe reader. A portion of sensors of each array of sensors may be shared by a portion of inputs and/or outputs of a single port of a processor. Sensors may be cross-coupled to a single processor port so that forward and reverse directions of a card swipe may nevertheless be detected by a single-port processor of a card.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/478,995, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR MECHANISMS FORMAGNETIC CARDS AND DEVICES,” filed on May 23, 2012, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/489,190, titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSOR MECHANISMS FOR MAGNETIC CARDS ANDDEVICES,” filed May 23, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and relatedsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card may include a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device,which may take the form of a magnetic encoder or a magnetic emulator. Amagnetic encoder, for example, may be utilized to modify informationthat is located on a magnetic medium, such that a magnetic stripe readermay then be utilized to read the modified magnetic information from themagnetic medium. A magnetic emulator, for example, may be provided togenerate electromagnetic fields that directly communicate data to a readhead of a magnetic stripe reader. A magnetic emulator, for example, maycommunicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripe reader.A magnetic emulator, for example, may communicate data in parallel to aread-head of the magnetic stripe reader.

All, or substantially all, of the front surface, as well as the rearsurface, of a card may be implemented as a display (e.g., bi-stable, nonbi-stable, LCD, or electrochromic display). Electrodes of a display maybe coupled to one or more touch sensors, such that a display may besensitive to touch (e.g., using a finger or a pointing device) and maybe further sensitive to a location of the touch. The display may besensitive, for example, to objects that come within a proximity of thedisplay without actually touching the display.

A dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may be implemented on amultiple layer board (e.g., a two layer flexible printed circuit board).A coil for each track of information that is to be communicated by thedynamic magnetic stripe communications device may then be provided byincluding wire segments on each layer and interconnecting the wiresegments through layer interconnections to create a coil. For example, adynamic magnetic stripe communications device may include two coils suchthat two tracks of information may be communicated to two differentread-heads included in a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader.A dynamic magnetic communications device may include, for example, threecoils such that three tracks of information may be communicated to threedifferent read-heads included in a read-head housing of a magneticstripe reader.

One or more arrays of sensors may be provided, for example, to sense thepresence of an external object, such as a person or device; which inturn, may trigger the initiation of a communication sequence with theexternal object. The sensed presence of the external object may then becommunicated to a processor of a card, which in turn may direct theexchange of information between a processor of a card and the externalobject. Accordingly, timing aspects of the information exchange betweena processor of a card and the various I/O devices implemented on a cardmay also be determined by a processor of the card.

The sensed presence of the external object or device may include thetype of object or device that is sensed and, therefore, may thendetermine the type of communication that is to be used with the sensedobject or device. For example, a sensed object may include adetermination that the object is a read-head of a magnetic stripereader. Such a sensed identification, for example, may activate adynamic magnetic stripe communications device so that information may becommunicated electromagnetically to the read-head of the magnetic stripereader.

A sensor array may be utilized in a variety of ways. Signals from asensor array may, for example, cause a processor of a card to perform aparticular function such as, for example, communicate bits ofinformation in a forward or a reverse order to a read-head of a magneticstripe reader. Accordingly, for example, a processor may detect that acard is being swiped in a forward direction based upon signals from twoor more activated sensors and may, for example, electromagneticallycommunicate data bits in a direction (e.g., a forward direction) that iscompatible with the sensed swipe direction. A processor may, forexample, detect that a card is being swiped in a reverse direction basedupon signals from two or more sensors and may, for example,electromagnetically communicate data bits in a direction (e.g., areverse direction) that is compatible with the sensed swipe direction. Aprocessor may, for example, detect a read-head position relative to aparticular region on a card based upon signals from one or moreactivated sensors and may vary a communication rate at which data bitsmay be electromagnetically communicated based upon the detectedread-head position.

A processor of a card may, for example, include a multiple input and/oroutput port (e.g., a dual input and/or output port) configuration.Accordingly, for example, each sensor of a card may be coupled to anindividual pin of a respective port of a processor so that activationsof two or more sensors in a particular sequence may allow a processor todetermine a direction that a card is being swiped through a magneticstripe reader.

A processor of a card may, for example, include a port configuration(e.g., a dual input and/or output port configuration) having a number ofpins that does not match a number of sensors provided on a card.Accordingly, for example, a portion of the sensors may be individuallycoupled to a pin of one port of a processor, another portion of thesensors may be individually coupled to a pin of another port of aprocessor and yet another portion of the sensors may share pins betweenboth ports of the processor.

A processor of a card may, for example, include a single portconfiguration having a number of pins that does not match a number ofsensors provided on a card. Accordingly, for example, two or moresensors (e.g., multiple pairs of sensors) may share pins of a port of aprocessor. Appropriate sharing of a pair of sensors to a particular pinof a port of a processor may, for example, allow a processor todetermine a direction of a swipe of a card based upon an order that asequence of sensors are activated.

Sensors may be arranged, for example, in a linear fashion along a lengthof a card. Accordingly, for example, a processor may receive activationsof several sensors in sequence according to a direction of a card swipe.In addition, a processor may determine which sensors are activated andbased upon which sensors are activated, the processor may determine aposition of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader in relation to thecard. In so doing, for example, a processor of a card may vary a ratethat information bits are communicated to a read-head of a magneticstripe reader based upon the sensed position of the read-head inrelation to the card. A slow communication rate may, for example, beselected by a processor if a read-head position is sensed early during acard swipe event (e.g., a read-head is sensed relative to a leading edgeof the card). An increased communication rate may, for example, beselected by a processor if a read-head position is sensed later during acard swipe event (e.g., a read-head is sensed between a leading edge ofa card and an inner portion of the card). A maximum communication ratemay, for example, be selected by a processor if a read-head position issensed late during a card swipe event (e.g., a read-head is sensed at aninner portion of the card).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of circuitry, and associated waveforms,constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a process flow chart constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include, for example, a dynamic numberthat may be entirely, or partially, displayed using a display (e.g.,display 106). A dynamic number may include a permanent portion such as,for example, permanent portion 104 and a dynamic portion such as, forexample, dynamic portion 106. Card 100 may include a dynamic numberhaving permanent portion 104 and permanent portion 104 may beincorporated on card 100 so as to be visible to an observer of card 100.For example, labeling techniques, such as printing, embossing, laseretching, etc., may be utilized to visibly implement permanent portion104.

Card 100 may include a second dynamic number that may also be entirely,or partially, displayed via a second display, e.g., display 108. Display108 may be utilized, for example, to display a dynamic code such as adynamic security code. Card 100 may also include third display 122 thatmay be used to display graphical information, such as logos andbarcodes. Third display 122 may also be utilized to display multiplerows and/or columns of textual and/or graphical information.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more ofdisplays 106, 108, and/or 122 may be implemented as a bi-stable display.For example, information provided on displays 106, 108, and/or 122 maybe stable in at least two different states (e.g., a powered-on state anda powered-off state). Any one or more of displays 106, 108, and/or 122may be implemented as a non-bi-stable display. For example, the displayis stable in response to operational power that is applied to thenon-bi-stable display. Other display types, such as LCD orelectrochromic, may be provided as well.

Other permanent information, such as permanent information 120, may beincluded within card 100, which may include user specific information,such as the cardholder's name or username. Permanent information 120may, for example, include information that is specific to card 100(e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expiration date). Information 120may represent, for example, information that includes information thatis both specific to the cardholder, as well as information that isspecific to card 100.

Card 100 may accept user input data via any one or more data inputdevices, such as buttons 110-118. Buttons 110-118 may be included toaccept data entry through mechanical distortion, contact, or proximity.Buttons 110-118 may be responsive to, for example, induced changesand/or deviations in light intensity, pressure magnitude, or electricand/or magnetic field strength. Such information exchange may then bedetermined and processed by card 100 as data input.

Card 100 may include sensor array 124. Sensor array 124 may, forexample, be a number of sensors (e.g., 16 sensors) arranged along alength of card 100 to sense contact with, or proximity to, an object(e.g., a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader). Sensor array 124 may,for example, be arranged as a number of conductive pads (e.g., copperislands on a surface of a printed circuit board). Sensor array 124 may,for example, exhibit a characteristic change (e.g., a change incapacitance) when an object contacts, or comes within a proximity to,sensor array 124.

FIG. 1 shows architecture 150, which may include one or more processors154. One or more processors 154 may be configured to utilize externalmemory 152, memory internal to processor 154, or a combination ofexternal memory 152 and internal memory for dynamically storinginformation, such as executable machine language, related dynamicmachine data, and user input data values.

One or more of the components shown in architecture 150 may beconfigured to transmit information to processor 154 and/or may beconfigured to receive information as transmitted by processor 154. Forexample, one or more displays 156 may be coupled to receive data fromprocessor 154. The data received from processor 154 may include, forexample, at least a portion of dynamic numbers and/or dynamic codes. Thedata to be displayed on the display may be displayed on one or moredisplays 156.

One or more displays 156 may be, for example, touch sensitive and/orproximity sensitive. For example, objects such as fingers, pointingdevices, etc., may be brought into contact with displays 156, or inproximity to displays 156. Detection of object proximity or objectcontact with displays 156 may be effective to perform any type offunction (e.g., transmit data to processor 154). Displays 156 may havemultiple locations that are able to be determined as being touched, ordetermined as being in proximity to an object.

Input and/or output devices may be implemented on a card (e.g., card 100of FIG. 1). For example, integrated circuit (IC) chip 160 (e.g., an EMVchip) may be included that can communicate information to a chip reader(e.g., an EMV chip reader). Radio frequency identification (RFID) module162 may be included to enable the exchange of information between anRFID reader and a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1).

Other input and/or output devices 168 may be included on architecture150, for example, to provide any number of input and/or outputcapabilities on a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1). For example, otherinput and/or output devices 168 may include an audio device capable ofreceiving and/or transmitting audible information.

Other input and/or output devices 168 may include a device thatexchanges analog and/or digital data using a visible data carrier. Otherinput and/or output devices 168 may include a device, for example, thatis sensitive to a non-visible data carrier, such as an IR data carrieror electromagnetic data carrier. Any type of tactile, audible, visible,and/or non-visible means of information exchange may be provided withinarchitecture 150.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that architecture 150 may,for example, be implemented within a self-contained device (e.g., card100 of FIG. 1) that derives its own operational power from one or morebatteries 158. Furthermore, one or more batteries 158 may be included,for example, to provide operational power for a period of time (e.g.,approximately 2-4 years). One or more batteries 158 may be included, forexample, as rechargeable batteries.

A dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may be included on acard to communicate information to, for example, a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader via electromagnetic signals. Electromagneticfield generators 170-174 may, for example, be included to communicateone or more tracks of electromagnetic data to read-heads of a magneticstripe reader. Electromagnetic field generators 170-174 may include, forexample, a series of electromagnetic elements, where eachelectromagnetic element may be implemented as a coil wrapped around oneor more materials (e.g., a magnetic material and/or a non-magneticmaterial). Additional materials may be placed outside the coil (e.g., amagnetic material and/or a non-magnetic material).

Electrical excitation by processor 154 of one or more coils of one ormore electromagnetic elements via, for example, driving circuitry 164may be effective to generate electromagnetic fields from one or moreelectromagnetic elements. One or more electromagnetic field generators170-174 may be utilized to communicate electromagnetic information to,for example, one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader.

Timing aspects of information exchange between architecture 150 and thevarious I/O devices implemented on architecture 150 may be determined byprocessor 154. Sensor array 166 may be utilized, for example, to sensethe proximity or actual contact of an external device, which in turn,may trigger the initiation of a communication sequence. The sensedpresence or touch of the external device may then be communicated to aprocessor (e.g., one or more pins of one or more input and/or outputports of processor 154), which in turn may direct the exchange ofinformation with the external device. The sensed presence or touch ofthe external device may be effective to, for example, determine the typeof device or object detected.

For example, sensor array 166 and sensing circuitry internal toprocessor 154 may sense the presence of, for example, a read head of amagnetic stripe reader. In response, processor 154 may activate one ormore electromagnetic field generators 170-174 to initiate acommunication data sequence with, for example, one or more read-heads ofthe detected magnetic stripe reader. The timing relationships associatedwith communications between one or more electromagnetic field generators170-174 and one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader may beprovided through use of the sensed presence of the one or moreread-heads of the magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 2 shows sensing circuitry 200 that may, for example, be includedwithin processor 214 of a card. Sensor 210 (e.g., a conductive pad on aprinted circuit board of the card) may be utilized, for example, as acapacitive device within a resistor/capacitor (RC) circuit. Accordingly,for example, the RC circuit may be used to determine a relativecapacitance of sensor 210, which may then be used to determine whetherthe relative capacitance of sensor 210 is below, equal to, or above apredetermined threshold.

A relative capacitance magnitude of sensor 210 may exhibit, for example,an inversely proportional relationship to the distance separationbetween sensor 210 and an object that may be in proximity to, ortouching, sensor 210. For example, a capacitance magnitude of sensor 210may be relatively small when a corresponding distance between sensor 210and an external object may be relatively large. A capacitance magnitudeof sensor 210 may be relatively large, for example, when thecorresponding distance between sensor 210 and an external object isrelatively small.

Charge sequence 250 may, for example, be invoked, such that switch 204may be closed at time T1 while switch 206 may remain open. Accordingly,for example, current may flow from voltage supply 202 through switch 204and resistive component 208. In doing so, for example, an electrostaticfield may be generated that may be associated with sensor 210. Duringthe charge sequence, for example, the voltage at node 212 may bemonitored to determine the amount of time required (e.g.,T_(CHARGE)=Δ1−T1) for the voltage at node 212, V₂₁₂, to obtain amagnitude that is substantially equal to, below, or above a firstthreshold voltage (e.g., equal to V1).

Discharge sequence 260 may, for example, be invoked, such that switch206 may be closed at time T2, while switch 204 may remain open. Duringthe discharge sequence, for example, the electric field associated withsensor 210 may be allowed to discharge through resistive component 208to a reference potential (e.g., ground potential). The voltage at node212 may be monitored to determine the amount of time required (e.g.,T_(DISCHARGE)=Δ2−T2) for the voltage at node 212, V₂₁₂, to obtain amagnitude that is substantially equal to, below, or above a secondthreshold voltage (e.g., equal to V2).

Once the charge time, T_(CHARGE), and discharge time, T_(DISCHARGE), aredetermined, the charge and discharge times may be utilized to calculatea capacitance magnitude that may be exhibited by sensor 210. Forexample, given that the magnitude of voltage, V1, may be equal toapproximately 63% of the magnitude of voltage, V_(S), then a firstrelationship may be defined by equation (1) as:T _(CHARGE) =R ₂₀₈ *C1,  (1)where R₂₀₈ is the resistance magnitude of resistive element 208 and C1is proportional to a capacitance magnitude of sensor 210.

Similarly, for example, given that the magnitude of voltage, V2, may beequal to approximately 37% of the magnitude of voltage, V_(S), then asecond relationship may be determined by equation (2) as:T _(DISCHARGE) =R ₂₀₈ *C2,  (2)where C2 is proportional to a capacitance magnitude of sensor 210. Thecapacitance magnitudes, C₁ and C₂, may then be calculated from equations(1) and (2) and averaged to determine an average capacitance magnitudethat may be exhibited by sensor 210. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that RC components (e.g., resistive component 208) may beincluded within processor 214 or may be included external to processor214.

FIG. 3 shows card 300, which may include processor 346 and multiple(e.g., two) arrays of sensors (e.g., sensors 306-320 and sensors322-336). Sensors 306-320 may, for example, be arranged linearly and maybe coupled to individual pins of input and/or output port 340, such thatsensor 306 may be coupled to pin 8 of port 340, sensor 308 may becoupled to pin 7 of port 340, sensor 310 may be coupled to pin 6 of port340 and so on. Sensors 322-336 may, for example, be arranged linearlyand may be coupled to individual pins of input and/or output port 342,such that sensor 336 may be coupled to pin 8 of port 342, sensor 334 maybe coupled to pin 7 of port 342, sensor 332 may be coupled to pin 6 ofport 342 and so on. Each sensor of one sensor array may have a mate thatcorresponds to a sensor in another sensor array. Accordingly, forexample, sensor 306 may be mated with sensor 336, sensor 308 may bemated with sensor 334, sensor 310 may be mated with sensor 332 and soon. Mated sensors of each sensor array may be coupled to individual pinsof different input and/or output ports (e.g., sensors 306-320 may becoupled to individual pins of input and/or output port 340 and sensors322-336 may be coupled to individual pins of input and/or output port342).

Each pin of input and/or output ports 340 and 342 may be configured asan output, such that a signal (e.g., a current signal) that may begenerated by sensing circuitry 344 may be used to charge each of sensors306-336 individually. Each pin of input and/or output ports 340 and 342may be configured as an input, such that each of sensors 306-336 may beindividually discharged through sensing circuitry 344. A series ofcharge and discharge sequences for sensors 306-336 may be executed overtime to determine a relative capacitance magnitude change (e.g., acapacitance magnitude increase) that may be exhibited by each of sensors306-336.

By comparing the time-based capacitance characteristic of sensors306-336 to a threshold capacitance value, a determination may be made,for example, as to when sensors 306-336 are in a proximity relationshipto an external object. For example, a sequential increase in therelative capacitance magnitudes of two or more sensors 306-336 may besensed to determine, for example, that an external object is movingsubstantially in direction 302 relative to card 300. A sequentialincrease in the relative capacitance magnitudes of two or more sensors336-306 may be sensed to determine, for example, that an external objectis moving substantially in direction 304 relative to card 300. Oncesensed, processor 346 may, for example, cause dynamic magnetic stripecommunications device 348 to generate an electromagnetic field having avariable polarity and/or magnitude to communicate one, two, and/or threetracks of magnetic stripe data to, for example, a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader.

A read-head may be sensed as moving in direction 302 relative to card300 by sensing a sequential change (e.g., sequential increase) in acapacitance magnitude that may be exhibited by two or more sensors306-336, respectively. Accordingly, for example, processor 346 may orderdata bits communicated by dynamic magnetic stripe communications device348 in accordance with sensed direction 302 of movement of the read-head(e.g., a magnetic stripe message may be communicated from a beginning ofthe message to an end of the message based upon the sensed direction302). Alternately, for example, a read-head may be sensed as moving indirection 304 relative to card 300 by sensing a sequential change (e.g.,sequential increase) in a capacitance magnitude that may be exhibited bytwo or more sensors 336-306, respectively. Accordingly, for example,processor 346 may order data bits communicated by dynamic magneticstripe communications device 348 in accordance with sensed direction 304of movement of the read-head (e.g., a magnetic stripe message may becommunicated from an end of the message to the beginning of the messagebased upon the sensed direction 304).

Processor 346 may, for example, detect a presence of a read-head earlyin a swipe event of card 300 (e.g., a position of a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader may be detected near a leading edge of card 300).Accordingly, for example, a capacitance change (e.g., capacitanceincrease) of one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 306-310 or sensors336-332) may be sensed by processor 346. In so doing, for example,processor 346 may control dynamic magnetic stripe communications device348 to communicate data bits at a relatively slow communication rate,since a read-head may remain within a communication distance of card 300for a relatively large amount of time based upon the early detection ofthe read-head.

Processor 346 may, for example, detect a presence of a read-head at amid-point in a swipe event of card 300 (e.g., a position of a read-headof a magnetic stripe reader may be detected between a leading edge ofcard 300 and an inner portion of card 300). Accordingly, for example, acapacitance change (e.g., capacitance increase) of one or more sensors(e.g., sensors 310-314 or sensors 332-328) may be sensed by processor346. In so doing, for example, processor 346 may control dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device 348 to communicate data bits at arelatively medium communication rate, since a read-head may remainwithin a communication distance of card 300 for a relatively mediumamount of time based upon the midpoint detection of the read-head.

Processor 346 may, for example, detect a presence of a read-head late ina swipe event of card 300 (e.g., a position of a read-head of a magneticstripe reader may be detected at an inner portion of card 300).Accordingly, for example, a capacitance change (e.g., capacitanceincrease) of one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 314-318 or sensors328-324) may be sensed by processor 346. In so doing, for example,processor 346 may control dynamic magnetic stripe communications device348 to communicate data bits at a relatively fast communication rate,since a read-head may remain within a communication distance of card 300for a relatively small amount of time based upon the late detection ofthe read-head.

FIG. 4 shows card 400, which may include processor 444 and multiple(e.g., three) arrays of sensors (e.g., sensors 406-416, sensors 426-436,and sensors 418-424). Sensors 406-416 may, for example, be arrangedlinearly and may be coupled to individual pins of input and/or outputport 440, such that sensor 406 may be coupled to pin 8 of port 440,sensor 408 may be coupled to pin 7 of port 440, sensor 410 may becoupled to pin 6 of port 440 and so on. Sensors 426-436 may, forexample, be arranged linearly and may be coupled to individual pins ofinput and/or output port 442, such that sensor 436 may be coupled to pin8 of port 442, sensor 434 may be coupled to pin 7 of port 442, sensor432 may be coupled to pin 6 of port 442 and so on. Each sensor of onesensor array may have a mate that corresponds to a sensor in anothersensor array. Accordingly, for example, sensor 406 may be mated withsensor 436, sensor 408 may be mated with sensor 434, sensor 410 may bemated with sensor 432 and so on. Mated sensors of each sensor array mayor may not share the same pin of input and/or output ports 440 and 442.

Sensors 418-424 may, for example, share pins of input and/or outputports 440 and/or 442 with other circuitry 448 (e.g., an IR transceiver,an LED, a button, or any other device). For example, sensors 418 through424 may interoperate with sensors 406-416 and/or 426-436 while processor444 may be detecting a presence of an object within a proximity of card400. Alternately, for example, processor 444 may reconfigure one or morepins of input and/or output ports 440 and/or 442 so that other circuitry448 may be utilized. For example, other circuitry 448 may be sensitiveto other data signals (e.g., IR data signals) when processor 444 may beexchanging information with an IR transceiver via other circuitry 448.Accordingly, for example, one or more sensors 418-424 may be disabledwhile one or more pins of input and/or output ports 440 and/or 442 maybe used to perform other functions (e.g., exchange IR information).

Sensors 406-420 and 436-422 may, for example, be used by processor 444for detecting a presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Acapacitance change (e.g., a capacitance increase) may, for example, bedetected by processor 444 via sensing circuitry 446 and two or moresensors (e.g., sensors 406-410) for an early detection of a read-headmoving in direction 402. Accordingly, for example, processor 444 mayconduct a communication sequence with the detected read-head via dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device 450 at a relatively slowcommunication rate due to the early detection of the read-head. Inaddition, processor 444 may conduct a communication sequence with thedetected read-head via dynamic magnetic stripe communications device 450using data bits ordered in a particular ordering sequence (e.g., from abeginning of a magnetic stripe message to the end of the magnetic stripemessage) based upon detected direction 402.

A capacitance change (e.g., a capacitance increase) may, for example, bedetected by processor 444 via sensing circuitry 446 and two or moresensors (e.g., sensors 436-432) for an early detection of a read-headmoving in direction 404. Accordingly, for example, processor 444 mayconduct a communication sequence with the detected read-head via dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device 450 at a relatively slowcommunication rate due to the early detection of the read-head. Inaddition, processor 444 may conduct a communication sequence with thedetected read-head via dynamic magnetic stripe communications device 450using data bits ordered in a particular ordering sequence (e.g., from anend of a magnetic stripe message to the beginning of the magnetic stripemessage) based upon detected direction 404.

Midpoint detections of a read-head may be sensed by processor 444 inconjunction with sensing circuitry 446 via two or more sensors (e.g.,sensors 412-416 in direction 402 or sensors 430-426 in direction 404).Accordingly, for example, processor 444 may conduct communications withthe detected read-head via dynamic magnetic stripe communications device450 at a communication rate (e.g., a medium communication rate) andcommunication order (e.g., beginning to end or end to beginning) thatcorresponds to a detected direction of movement and initial relativeposition of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader.

Late detections of a read-head may be sensed by processor 444 inconjunction with sensing circuitry 446 via two or more sensors (e.g.,sensors 416-420 in direction 402 or sensors 426-422 in direction 404).Accordingly, for example, processor 444 may conduct communications withthe detected read-head via dynamic magnetic stripe communications device450 at a communication rate (e.g., a fast communication rate) andcommunication order (e.g., beginning to end or end to beginning) thatcorresponds to a detected direction of movement and an initial relativeposition of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 5 shows card 500, which may include processor 542 having a singleinput and/or output port 540 and multiple sensor arrays (e.g., sensors506-520 and sensors 522-536). Each sensor of one sensor array may have amate that corresponds to a sensor in another sensor array. Accordingly,for example, sensor 506 may be mated with sensor 536, sensor 508 may bemated with sensor 534, sensor 510 may be mated with sensor 532 and soon. Mated sensors of each sensor array may not, for example, share thesame pin of input and/or output port 442.

Input and/or output port 540 may, for example, be limited to a number(e.g., eight) pins such that a number of (e.g., sixteen) sensors may behigher than a number of pins of input and/or output port 540 that may beused to connect to sensors 506-536. Accordingly, for example, two ormore sensors (e.g., a non-mated pair of sensors) may be cross-coupled tocorresponding pins of input and/or output port 540. In so doing, forexample, sensors 508 and 536 may share pin 8 of input and/or output port540, sensors 506 and 534 may share pin 7 of input and/or output port540, sensors 512 and 532 may share pin 6 of input and/or output port 540and so on to cross-couple non-mated pairs of sensors in sensor arrays506-520 and 522-536 so as to maintain a direction sensing capability ofprocessor 542.

Such cross-coupling of sensors may yield an ability of processor 542 todetect a direction of movement of an object (e.g., a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader) based upon a detected order of activation of twoor more sensors. For example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe readermay be detected by processor 542 via sensing circuitry 544 as moving indirection 504 when two or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or outputport 540 detect signals from activated sensors in a particular sequence(e.g., when sensors 536 (pin 8), 534 (pin 7), 532 (pin 6), and 530 (pin5) are activated in sequence or when sensors 520 (pin 2), 518 (pin 1),516 (pin 4), and 514 (pin 3) are activated in sequence). Alternately,for example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader may be detected byprocessor 542 via sensing circuitry 544 as moving in direction 502 whentwo or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or output port 540 detectsignals from activated sensors in a particular sequence (e.g., whensensors 506 (pin 7), 508 (pin 8), 510 (pin 5), and 512 (pin 6) areactivated in sequence or when sensors 522 (pin 1), 524 (pin 2), 526 (pin3), and 528 (pin 4) are activated in sequence). Processor 542 may, forexample, communicate magnetic stripe information via dynamic magneticstripe communications device 546 at a communication rate and with acommunication order based upon such detections of a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 6 shows card 600, which may include processor 642 having a singleinput and/or output port 640 and multiple arrays of sensors (e.g.,sensors 606-620 and sensors 622-636). Non-mated sensors 606 and 634 mayshare pin 1 of input and/or output port 640, non-mated sensors 608 and636 may share pin 2 of input and/or output port 640, non-mated sensors610 and 630 may share pin 3 of input and/or output port 640 and so on tocross-couple non-mated pairs of sensors 606-636 so as to maintain adirection sensing capability of processor 642.

Such cross-coupling of sensors may yield an ability of processor 642 todetect a direction of movement of an object (e.g., a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader) based upon a detected order of activation of twoor more sensors. For example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe readermay be detected by processor 642 via sensing circuitry 644 as moving indirection 602 when two or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or outputport 640 detect signals from activated sensors in a particular sequence(e.g., when sensors 606 (pin 1), 608 (pin 2), 610 (pin 3), and 612 (pin4) are activated in sequence or when sensors 622 (pin 7), 624 (pin 8),626 (pin 5), and 628 (pin 6) are activated in sequence). Alternately,for example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader may be detected byprocessor 642 via sensing circuitry 644 as moving in direction 604 whentwo or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or output port 640 detectsignals from activated sensors in a particular sequence (e.g., whensensors 636 (pin 2), 634 (pin 1), 632 (pin 4), and 630 (pin 3) areactivated in sequence or when sensors 620 (pin 8), 618 (pin 7), 616 (pin6), and 614 (pin 5) are activated in sequence). Processor 642 may, forexample, communicate magnetic stripe information via dynamic magneticstripe communications device 646 at a communication rate and with acommunication order based upon such detections of a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 7 shows card 700, which may include processor 742 having a singleinput and/or output port 740 and multiple arrays of sensors (e.g.,sensors 706-720 and sensors 722-736). Non-mated sensors 714 and 730 mayshare pin 1 of input and/or output port 740, non-mated sensors 716 and732 may share pin 2 of input and/or output port 740, non-mated sensors718 and 734 may share pin 3 of input and/or output port 740 and so on tocross-couple non-mated pairs of sensors 706-736 so as to maintain adirection sensing capability of processor 742.

Such cross-coupling of sensors may yield an ability of processor 742 todetect a direction of movement of an object (e.g., a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader) based upon a detected order of activation of twoor more sensors. For example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe readermay be detected by processor 742 via sensing circuitry 744 as moving indirection 702 when two or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or outputport 740 detect signals from activated sensors in a particular sequence(e.g., when sensors 706 (pin 5), 708 (pin 6), 710 (pin 7), and 712 (pin8) are activated in sequence or when sensors 722 (pin 5), 724 (pin 6),726 (pin 7), and 728 (pin 8) are activated in sequence). Alternately,for example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader may be detected byprocessor 742 via sensing circuitry 744 as moving in direction 704 whentwo or more pins 1 through 8 of input and/or output port 740 detectsignals from activated sensors in a particular sequence (e.g., whensensors 736 (pin 4), 734 (pin 3), 732 (pin 2), and 730 (pin 1) areactivated in sequence or when sensors 720 (pin 4), 718 (pin 3), 716 (pin2), and 714 (pin 1) are activated in sequence). Processor 742 may, forexample, communicate magnetic stripe information via dynamic magneticstripe communications device 746 at a communication rate and with acommunication order based upon such detections of a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 8 shows card 800, which may include processor 802 having a singleinput and/or output port 804 and multiple arrays of sensors (e.g.,sensors 806-820 and sensors 822-836) cross-coupled to pins of inputand/or output port 804 such that certain pairs of sensors share certainpins of input and/or output port 804. Sensor 806 may be coupled tosensor 834 at pin 8 of input and/or output port 804. Sensor 808 may becoupled to sensor 836 at pin 7 of input and/or output port 804. Sensor810 may be coupled to sensor 830 at pin 6 of input and/or output port804. Sensor 812 may be coupled to sensor 832 at pin 5 of input and/oroutput port 804. Sensor 814 may be coupled to sensor 826 at pin 4 ofinput and/or output port 804. Sensor 816 may be coupled to sensor 828 atpin 3 of input and/or output port 804. Sensor 818 may be coupled tosensor 822 at pin 2 of input and/or output port 804. Sensor 820 may becoupled to sensor 824 at pin 1 of input and/or output port 804. Sensors806-820 and sensors 822-836 may be any shape and any size.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of non-matedpairs of sensors (e.g., more or less than eight pairs of sensors) may becross-coupled to share specific pins of an input and/or output port of aprocessor. Persons skilled in the art will further appreciate that anynumber of input and/or output ports (e.g., two or more) may be coupledto non-mated pairs of sensors. Accordingly, for example, a directionsensing capability of a processor of a card may be maintained.

FIG. 9 shows flow charts of sequences 910-930. In step 911 of sequence910, for example, each sensor of a card may be coupled to an individualinput and/or output pin of a processor port on the card. The processormay, for example, include sensing circuitry (e.g., capacitance changesensing circuitry) such that when an external object is in proximity toa sensor, the sensor may be activated (e.g., a capacitance of the sensormay increase) and the sensing circuitry of the processor may sense theobject's presence (e.g., as in step 912) by sensing a signal from theactivated sensor. In step 913, a processor may conduct communications(e.g., electromagnetic communications) with the detected object (e.g., aread-head of a magnetic stripe reader) by communicating data to thedetected read-head at a selected communication bit rate (e.g., slow,medium or fast communication bit rate) and a selected communication bitorder (e.g., forward or reverse communication bit order) based upon adirection and location of the detected read-head in relation to thecard.

In step 921 of sequence 920, for example, a portion of sensors of a cardmay be coupled to individual input and/or output pins of a processorport on the card. Other sensors may share other input and/or output pinsof a processor port as in step 922. Accordingly, for example, othercircuitry (e.g., IR communication circuitry) may share pins of aprocessor port so that multiple functions (e.g., object sensingfunctions and IR communication functions) may be performed by the sameprocessor pin but at different times. In step 923, sensors coupled toindividual pins of a processor port may be activated (e.g., capacitanceincreased) and such activation may be detected (e.g., as in step 924).Accordingly, for example, a position and direction of a detectedexternal object (e.g., a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader) may beused to adjust a communication rate and a communication order that aprocessor may use to communicate electromagnetic data (e.g., one, two,and/or three tracks of magnetic stripe data) to the detected read-head.

In step 931 of sequence 930, multiple sensors (e.g., selected pairs ofsensors) may be cross-coupled to selected input and/or output pins of aprocessor port on a card, such that each pair of cross-coupled sensorsmay share an input and/or output pin of a processor. In step 932, forexample, each sensor may be activated (e.g., each sensor's capacitancemay increase) in the presence of an external object (e.g., a read-headof a magnetic stripe reader). Based upon an order of activation of twoor more sensors, a communication sequence may be conducted by aprocessor of the card (e.g., as in step 933). For example, a set ofsensors may be activated by an object moving in relation to a card andthe activation may be detected differently by a processor of a cardbased upon a relative direction of movement of the detected object.Accordingly, for example, the cross-coupling of step 931 may cause aprocessor of a card to detect a particular sequence of activated sensorswhen an object moves in one direction relative to the card and theprocessor may detect a different sequence of activated sensors when theobject moves in the opposite direction relative to the card. In sodoing, multiple sensors may share input and/or output pins of aprocessor port and a processor of a card may nevertheless differentiatea direction of movement of an external object based upon a detection oftwo or more activated sensors.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information and theexchange thereof. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate thatthe apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in other waysthan those described herein. All such modifications are within the scopeof the present invention, which is limited only by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: detecting a first direction of movement of an object relative to a device based on a first sequence of signals at a port of a processor of the device, the first sequence of signals produced using at least a first sensor and a second sensor connected to a first pin of the port, and a third sensor and a fourth sensor connected to a second pin of the port, wherein the first sensor and the third sensor are closer to each other than to either of the second sensor and the fourth sensor; detecting a second direction of movement of an object relative to the device based on a second sequence of signals at the port, the second sequence of signals produced using the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor; and communicating payment data using a communications device based on one of the first sequence of signals and the second sequence of signals.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction, wherein the communications device is a dynamitic magnetic stripe communications device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 7. A method, comprising: detecting a first direction of movement of an object relative to a device based on a first sequence of signals at a first port of a processor of the device, the first sequence of signals produced using at least a first sensor and a second sensor; detecting a second direction of movement of an object relative to the device based on a second sequence of signals at a second port of the processor, the second sequence of signals produced using at least a third sensor and a fourth sensor, wherein the third sensor and the fourth sensor are closer to each other than to either of the first sensor and the second sensor; and communicating payment data using a communications device based on one of the first sequence of signals and the second sequence of signals.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction, wherein the communication device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 13. A method, comprising: detecting a first direction of movement and a second direction of movement of an object relative to a device based on a first sequence of signals and a second sequence of signals, the first sequence of signals and the second sequence of signals produced by a first portion of a first plurality of sensors coupled to a first port of a processor of the device and a first portion of a second plurality of sensors coupled to a second port of the processor; and communicating payment data using a communications device based on one of the first sequence of signals and the second sequence of signals.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining at least one communication parameter based on one of the first direction and the second direction, wherein the communication device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining at least one of an order of the payment data and a rate of the communicating payment data based on at least one of a position of the device, the first direction, and the second direction, wherein the communications device is a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.
 19. The card of claim 13, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of sensors is coupled to other circuitry and the first port.
 20. The card of claim 13, wherein a second portion of the first plurality of sensors is coupled to an IR transceiver and the first port. 